Even as hunger declines around the world, food insecurity remains prevalent in rural communities. Restoring soil health, expanding access to new technologies, strengthening land rights, and upgrading public infrastructure are essential to boost agricultural productivity and protect rural livelihoods. By Esther Ngumbi

The dangerous flooding in Nepal and Tibet has demonstrated, once again, the need for prearranged disaster-risk financing to prepare for the economic chain reactions triggered by natural disasters. Asia's policymakers must act now to help cash-strapped Nepal and strengthen other countries' resilience before the next crisis hits. By Yasuto Watanabe

Perhaps the most unsettling lesson from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the gap between what we knew and how we prepared. Countries should use whatever easing of immediate pressures occurs to strengthen resilience before the next shock arrives. By Máximo Torero

Rather than designing solutions for half the farming population, agricultural researchers, policymakers, and others must consider the specific needs and preferences of women farmers in developing countries. Only then can the huge female agricultural labour force reach its potential to ensure food security and drive economic growth. By Ruth Khasaya Oniang’o and Peter Kelly